VIRTUAL SCHOOL VISITS - Skype Makes it Happen!: May 2014

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

SUPER Skype Visit - in Oklahoma!

A Terrific School Visit Picture

Kids from a 3rd grade class in Oklahoma

I Skyped with today - May 6th 2014

I read to them from Taconi and Claude, showed some Aussie aboriginal artifacts, and chatted about the craft of writing, where ideas come from, and how to HOOK readers with powerful and active words - paint word pictures! They are reading my Kangaroo Clues and Down Under Calling at the moment.

There were lots of questions to answer and a few laughs and giggles. Terrific enthusiasm. And none of this could have come about without the help of a dedicated and willing teacher. My thanks to Mrs Hime - awesome lady!

I felt so jazzed when the visit ended. I rushed out and told my husband (who was gardening) all about it. I just love flying in on my Magic Carpet of Books and telling kids about the magic of books.

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It is AMAZING where SKYPE can fly my Magic Carpet of BOOKS!! Earlier this month it was to a hospital classroom. Next week it is to Casablanca, MOROCCO!
Yes, you read this right. I will say hello to Bogart and Bergman for you!!

It is a kid's summer camp that teaches English and other subjects. YEA. . . the world my books reach becomes smaller every day: http://virtualschoolvisits.blogspot.com/

Books for Kids - Manuscript Critiques

http://www.margotfinke.com

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Teacher RECOMMENDATION - Skype Author Visit.

By Geri Downey,English Teacher Coordinator at Jump Immersion School. Geri was a Skype client of Margot’s ******************************************** Margot skyped with my 1st and 2nd grade class, and took us on a "Magic Carpet Ride" of books. Our experience was nothing short of amazing! The students have not stopped talking about it! Her love of books, writing, and children was very evident from the moment we started. The children were enthralled as they learned all about "The Land Down Under". Her use of visuals was so engaging, and her lyrical reading of "Ruthie and The Hippo's Fat Behind" had the children hypnotized. Margot had a natural ability to make each child feel important and valued for their contributions when they asked questions. Most of all, even the most reluctant writers in the class came back the next day telling me that they could not wait to write stories and books to share with her! Now THAT is a gift! Thank you, Margot!

SKYPE VISITS - Pending

CHILDREN CARE DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION Kihesa, Tanzania. NOTE from Margot Finke: I hope to send books that can be read on their computers, and do Skype Visits with orphans + adult women and mothers. These kids and mothers need a leg up + some basic information and help. See a picture of the orphans above. *************** At the end of July 2014 I will be visiting Perth, Australia, to Skype with two different classes about my books, how I write them, and what makes a story great. I will also be reading to them and answering lots of their questions. I am sure we will ALL have fun. And for me it will be a trip back to my Aussie homeland - YEA!!! *************** LATEST SKYPE DESTINATION: On July 17th I will be Skyping with a Summer Camp in Casablanca, Morocco! YES, YOU READ THAT RIGHT!! They are teaching kids English - among other subjects. How COOL is that? If a little translation is needed, the teacher will supply it. Can'5 Wait to fly my Magic Carpet of books to Morocco. **************

PREVIOUS SKYPE STOPS

AUG 2014:
TRUE BLUE LIBRARIAN - Aussie Library Blog.
They featured an article by me. I chat about Skype visits in general, and my fun visit to Librarian Libby's Perth classroom last month. I am happy to fly my FREE Magic Carpet of Books into classrooms anywhere the time zones permit. All I ask is that either the school or the parents buy a few of my books.

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JULY 2014:
I also visited Perth, Australia, in July. Great to hear all those Aussie voices again. Such smart and enthusiastic first graders, too. And the connection was crystal clear. Interacting with children and reading to them is a huge adrenalin boost for me!!

Will visit another of their classes this Monday - 28th. Looking forward to it!!

Amazon Australia also has most of my books. YEA!!!

NOTE: My second visit went off as well as my first - just a different class. I do love HOOKING kids on reading - no matter where they live!!

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In July I did two Skype Visits to a Moroccan Summer School that also taught English and arts. Each visit was a wonderful experience. The first time I met the teacher, some of the class, and her US assistant who came from my own state of Oregon - YEA!! Second visit was to read Horatio Humble and share in the final day celebration of the Summer School activities. The WiFi was not as good as the first visit, but I got to chat with the kids, and answer questions from their parents. Awesome. I will visit them again, as the teacher has requested it.

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JUNE 2014:
SKYPING IN A HOSPITAL SCHOOL:
Earlier this month I visited a hospital classroom in Utah. The kids had such fun with my Magic Carpet of Books, and asked a lot of questions about them and how I wrote them. The ages were form 8 to 15 years, so there was a lot of variety in the Q and A. I had a terrific time, and they got to forget why they were there for a little while. a WIN WIN for everyone!!

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I made a Skype Author Visit to a classroom in Auckland, New Zealand. They were so enthusiastic and smart. They even made a Video about my visit. I was thrilled and humbled. Read about it HERE

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I also Skyped with high school teens in New Delhi, India. They asked so many questions. It was wonderful to see so many enthusiastic kids interested in reading and writing.

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NOTE The only limit to an author visit to schools anywhere in the world are the Time Zones. They must work with where YOU live, as well as where the schools are situated.

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SKYPE THANK YOU NOTES from TEACHERS

From a happy New Jersey teacher:

"Thank you so much for our class skype today! The children learned so much, and cannot stop talking about it! They took your suggestions for writing to heart and are excited to begin writing their own stories tomorrow! LOVED this experience! Thank you!"
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SKYPE Inspires a Class:

Hi Margot,

I just wanted to let you know that my students have been working hard on writing their own stories since skyping with you. They were wondering if you might have time to Skype with us again to listen to their stories.

One little boy in particular has been so enthusiastic about this that he has been asking to work on his "book" every day since skyping with you. It is a very short story, but he could NOT be any prouder! You have really made an impression on him, as well as the other students! Thank you for this!

If you ever have time to skype with us again, they would LOVE to share their stories with you!

AND I AM GOING BACK TO HEAR THEIR STORIES AS SOON AS WE SETTLE ON A DATE.

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Geralyn Downey shared your link: "To my teacher friends. Our class skyped with Margot Finke, children's author, and we LOVED it. Please watch this, and consider having her visit your class via skype. Believe me, you will love it! She was fantastic!"

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VIRTUAL SCHOOL VISITS - Skype Makes it Happen!

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

SUPER Skype Visit - in Oklahoma!

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